PT-2 Intro to “Living in Anticipation of Christ’s Return” (2 Peter 3:11-18)

 

EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 1/25/2026 7:48 PM

My Worship Time                      Focus: PT-2 Intro to “Living in Anticipation of Christ’s Return”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                               Reference:  2 Peter 3:11-18

            Message of the verses:  “11 ¶  Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12  waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13  But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14  Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15  And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16  as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (ESV)

            I continue to quote from John MacArthur’s introduction to the verses above, and may add some of my comments along with adding the verses that he refers to in his commentary.

            “As aliens and pilgrims, believers are not part of the world’s system (Phil. 3:20; Heb. 11:10-11; 1 Peter 1:1; 1 John 2:15-17).”

(Phil. 3:20; Heb. 11:10-11; 1 Peter 1:1; 1 John 2:15-17)

“20  But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

“10  For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11  By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.”

“1 ¶  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,”

“15  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16  For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

“Therefore they are to live in view of the eternal blessings they will receive when Jesus Christ is finally revealed in all His glory (cf. Matt. 5:48; Col. 3:2; 1 Peter 1:13-15).”

(cf. Matt. 5:48; Col. 3:2; 1 Peter 1:13-15)

“48  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

“2  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

“13 ¶  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15  but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,”

“Paul, for example, exhibited that kind of attitude.

“9  So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Cor. 5:9-10)

“Clearly, the thought of future reward and divine accountability transformed Paul’s perspective on how he lived this life.  Knowing that he would one day stand before Christ, his King, powerfully motivated him to ‘walk in a manner worthy’ (Eph. 4:1).

            As Peter drew the practical implications of eschatological truth, he exhorted his readers to also live worthy lives, characterized by both holy conduct (external actions and behavior) and godliness (internal heart attitudes and reverence).  The tapestry of his mandate to them—to live in light of the second coming—is woven of seven distinct threads:  eternal perspective, internal peace, practical purity, faithful proclamation, doctrinal perceptiveness, spiritual progress, and continual praise.”

            Lord willing I will begin with eternal perspective in tomorrow evening’s SD.

1/25/2026 8:12 PM